The 3D Pub

Interview with Novedge

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Roberts) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:19:00 +0000

Check out this recent interview with Franco over at Novedge. They are a great online reseller and you can find all kinds of 3D products there, including QuadriSpace products.

http://blog.novedge.com/

Here is a quote from Franco, taken from the introduction:

"When I saw QuadriSpace Pages3D for the first time something resonated with my experience. Finally, a CAD visualization tool that is easy to use (even by non CAD users) and that addresses real problems, not abstract idealizations of the design and manufacturing world."

Free Personal Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Roberts) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:19:00 +0000

QuadriSpace just made available a free Personal Edition. This is a complete 3D Communication Suite that you can download for free. With this easy to use product, you can import your 3D, quickly capture illustrations (memorized views), add markups and then email the information to a buddy. There is also a complete page layout capability include with Pages3D Personal that let's you add text boxes, tables and set up the exact document layout.

You can download it here: http://www.quadrispace.com/downloads/index.htm

We are also making the 3D PDF module a low-cost upgrade for only $95. With this you can use your Personal Edition to share via 3D PDF. You do not need to purchase Acrobat to use this feature, it is all self-contained.

We will be posting some examples online soon.

First Look V2008

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Roberts) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:30:00 +0000

Some information on the QuadriSpace V2008 product line is now available! We are very excited about this release and our early feedback is tremendous. Check it out!

We will be providing more details as the release date nears.

Here is the link: http://www.quadrispace.com/products/2008_preview.htm

Tampa Bay --- PTC/User Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Roberts) — Thu, 31 May 2007 21:18:00 +0000

QuadriSpace will be exhibiting our Product Communication and Documentaiton Solutions at this year's PTC/Conference. The show floor opens at 6:00 PM on Sunday June 3rd in the Tampa Bay Convention Center. This year we will be hosting a drawing for a new iPod Nano, so come on by booth #307 and learn about 3D Publishing. I'll try to post some updates throughout the show.

I think 3D, therefore I am 3D

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Roberts) — Wed, 30 May 2007 20:49:00 +0000

One of the most striking arguments for using 3D is visualization. Visualization is great for communication and document creation. 3D is a great way to get a head start creating pictures of products, today you can even include an interactive 3D in a document. But the real power of 3D is not only the 3D but the ability to do much more.

"A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words"
I think everyone understands this concept but let's start with the idea of a simple picture versus a written description.

- Is it easier to follow a map or "turn right at the third lamppost behind Arby's"?

- Is it easier to understand a weather radar image or "it's raining somewhat hard north of highway 380"?

- Is it easier to identify a specific motor from a photo or "it's the one with the green top"?

Of course many of the answers depend on the quality of the map, image or photo. But assuming the picture is of decent quality most people prefer the weather map, a detailed road map or a photo of the product. Clearly, simple pictures make it easier to identify specific objects and places. For product communication visual identification is key to error reduction and time savings. Pictures can also help cross language barriers, present complex concepts, and increase interest in a topic, among others.

I think 3D, therefore I am 3D
A picture is worth a thousand words but a 3D model may be worth a million. We all live in a 3D world, surrounded by 3D stuff.

For products designed with 3D, the visualization benefits of using these existing models is extremely significant. Using 3D models means that interactivity can be added to your communications or used as a tool when creating your documents. 3D models let you rotate, pan and zoom the objects to get the most informative view.

With a map or a weather radar you will find almost all online tools of this type provide interactivity using a 2D image that you can pan and zoom. This morning we used an interactive weather radar to watch some nasty thunderstorms move across Texas. The weather radar starts out focused on Dallas but using the interactive features I was quickly able to zoom in on Allen, TX to see information relevant to my area. Using a 2D image is suitable and the right choice for viewing weather or maps.

Manufactured products require 3D, but the same concepts apply. With an interactive 3D object you can easily rotate around to the area of interest, zoom in and get relevant information. Product communication can leverage interactive viewing to allow individual users to select a custom view.

Time after time
Step-by-step instructions make it easy to follow directions by providing ordered procedures that can be executed one step at a time, provide a current status, and other information such as where you came from and where you are headed.

When you use www.mapquest.com to get directions from one address to another the results are presented as a visual map and a set of driving instructions. This will (hopefully) get you from point A to B. Breaking a complex set of instructions down into individual steps makes it much easier to accomplish the task without mistakes and as quickly as possible.

Product communication is often accomplished step-by-step. Internal and external customers who purchase a manufactured product will need instructions regarding use, maintenance, service, installation, and more. Instructions require a concept of time or ordered procedures to communicate. To offer instructions you need to be able to tell someone this procedure is accomplished before this one and so on. For complex products visually animating or illustrating the changes to the product during a procedure can be key to a clear understanding.

The Written Word
Ironically, one of the the truly revolutionary aspects of shared 3D CAD files is not just the "pretty picture" but a whole other layer of information that is stored as metadata. For products this metadata or textual information can describe the materials used, the part numbers, the price, or individual parts. With QuadriSpace you can even set up step-by-step procedures in this way.

Bringing it all together
The power of combining visual identification, interactive features, ordered procedures and textual information is extraordinary.

One of the most clear examples of this is the use of a GPS in a car. The GPS provides up-to-date information on where you are, the current driving instruction is displayed as waymark's are reached, a map provides visual feedback and interactive features allow you to dial in the destination or zoom the map as needed.

Using this powerful combination for product communication and documentation can have a significant impact. For example, assembly instructions can be very complex procedures that are expected to be executed with minimal training, with minimal errors and meeting a typically aggressive schedule. This is already a tough problem, and the trend toward offshore manufacturing and worldwide use requires assembly plans to consider language barriers as well.

This assembly problem is solved in a rather dramatic way when the concepts outlined in this entry are applied. You should try it!

Vista and 3D Performance

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Roberts) — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:12:00 +0000

So the bad grades for Vista's 3D performance are starting to roll in...

Vista Runs CAD Slower
Cad on Vista Performs Much Worse than on XP

On Tom's Hardware you see a major difference between Vista's 3D performance for CAD applications to it's performance for Games. Games run much better... why?

Tom's Hardware --- CAD Applications
Tom's Hardware --- Games

From Cave Art to 3D

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Roberts) — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 17:06:00 +0000

Technical Illustration could be thought of as art with a purpose. A good illustrator focuses on the overall communication benefits that the graphics provide and the techniques required to create the graphics. In other words, what are the communication benefits of any new media and how easy it is to use.

28,000 BC - 3000 BC: Chalk, Charcoal and Minerals
Thirty-thousand years ago the urge to draw inspired our ancestors to discover new media. Chalk, charcoal and minerals were used to provide a way to communicate with imagery.

* Benefit - First communications with graphics
* Technique - Rub a stone on a cave wall - pretty tough to create good graphics

3000 BC-1982 AD: Pen and Paper
Historic records show that papyrus (an early form of paper) was being used as early as 3000 BC. This was a significant step forward and provided a way to communicate outside of the cave.

* Benefit - Share graphics across the world
* Technique - Use a pencil, protractor and T-square to hand-draw illustrations

This technique has been used for centuries but even the most stubborn illustrators are unable to deny the benefits of newer approaches any longer. I picked up an old text book titled "Technical Drawing" at Half-Price books (Ever tried to sell books here? Trust me... you're better off donating your books and writing them off for $0.50 each). The book was published in 1991 and out of 1000 pages of pen and paper instructions only a single chapter (35 pages) discussed computers.

1982-2004: Digital Graphics
Finally, with the invention of the internet and 2D graphic software, old pen and paper techniques started to become obsolete.

* Benefit - Share graphics with a global audience
* Technique - Use precise software tools to draw 2D illustrations

We have great book laying around the office that we use as a reference. "The Complete Technical Illustrator" by Jon Duff and Greg Maxson explores topics relevant to technical illustration and does a great job. It is a very practical, hands-on book and you can find the book on Amazon here. The first sentence in the "Introduction" describes the brave new world of technical illustration, according to the author:

"The increased availability of digital graphics tools has inexorably changed the way technical illustrations are made."

The focus of the book is really on how to use 2D based tools, such as Adobe Illustrator or Autocad, to create "3D looking" illustrations. This book does a great job describing some tedious strategies and obscure techniques that can be used to get from A to B, and by following these techniques you can end up with some pretty impressive illustrations. But, how long does it take to create a good illustration this way? Well, it's certainly easier than drawing on a cave wall but it does take a lot of time. Also, what happens when you products change? How do you update the illustrations? Let's just say "it's not going to happen".

Fortunately for you 3D Publishing Software can eliminate these multiple-step requirements and update deficiencies by letting you use the 3D model directly. Read on...

2004-Future: 3D Graphics
3D Publishing is the most beneficial new tool for technical writers and illustrators since the pen and paper. Am I exaggerating? For some, maybe. For many others, probably not.

* Benefit - Share 3D graphics globally
* Bonus Benefit - Update graphics automatically when designs change
* Technique - Reuse the 3D model directly to automatically create illustrations

When 3D publishing software is used, the 3D model can be imported directly. QuadriSpace's products provide a wide range of professional tools that you can use to get the precise viewpoint you desire, the graphical style that your illustration needs, the callouts and text to describe the product, and special tools for creating exploded views easily. The overall effect is that you can import a 3D model and in many cases you can create a whole library of detailed illustrations in a few minutes!

Oh, about updates to your illustrations... for many this is the best part. Since you are using the 3D model as the basis for your illustrations you can easily update entire documents or libraries of illustrations when designs change. It's very simple, just import the latest 3D model and everything is updated automatically.

Cowboy Hats and Other Misconceptions

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Roberts) — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 16:04:00 +0000

I was watching the NFL championship games this weekend and was reminded of a past SolidWorks World. In 2004, SolidWorks World was held in Boston during the NFL championship games. After flying in from Dallas, we sat down to watch the championship game with a bunch of raving Patriot fans. Unlike this year, in 2004 the Pats beat the Colts. Immediately after the Patriots won, a lady sitting next to us belted out in the most Boston of Boston accents: "We're going to have to get a caawboy het and some chewing tobaaacco and go to Hugh-ston for the Superbowl."

The irony of this situation makes me laugh everytime I think about it. Here is a nice lady with a strong stereotypical Boston accent joking about a stereotypical Texas scenario. Now, QuadriSpace is based just outside of Dallas, I am University of Texas alum and I don't know anyone who wears a cowboy hat. But that doesn't matter... the perception of Texas is big hats, big boots, big hair and big attitude. Sometimes you just can't get past the misconceptions (In this case that's ok...)

Anyway, I wanted to address a misconception that many people have about 3D Publishing. In talking with customers, invariably we are asked "how is 3D Publishing software different from my 3D CAD tools or this simple 3D viewer?". On the surface there are similarities, i.e they all interactively rotate, pan and zoom 3D models. But the difference between these various types of products lies in the answer to the following questions:

What is the software designed to accomplish? What features support this goal?
What is the end result of using the software (i.e. what is the user creating)?
Is it easy for the user of the software to accomplish his or her goals?

Myth #1: My 3D CAD tool does it all
Let's start with 3D CAD tools. Here is part of the definition of CAD from Wikipedia:

"CAD is used to design, develop and optimize products, which can be goods used by end consumers or intermediate goods used in other products."

In other words, 3D CAD tools create 3D models of products. That's the goal, that's the purpose. The creation of 3D models is an art of it's own and requires users to learn and master various tools and techniques. Also, the user interface for 3D CAD is designed to support engineers and their 3D creation needs. In general, this UI is absolutely the wrong interface for 3D publishing.

I have seen publishing departments that purchase seats of 3D CAD software solely for the purpose of creating images for use in manuals. This is equivalent to using a shovel to chop down a tree. Why not use an axe? An axe is designed to chop down trees, it does a better job and is much easier for the user to get the job done. Using the right tool for the job is what I am talking about and this is where 3D Publishing software shines.

Myth #2: 3D Viewers are "good enough"
3D Viewers are designed to simply view 3D models. Most viewers do not have a saved output because they are designed to only "view" the 3D model, not much more.

Very few viewers support any of the features needed to effectively publish 3D. Consider this... does your 3D viewer allow you to publish PDF documents with interactive 3D views? Does the 3D viewer allow you to capture and manage illustrations and then update these seamlessly as the original CAD design changes? Does the viewer allow you to create step-by-step procedures? How about rendering high-resolution images or storyboard out an animation? Does the viewer let you use a BOM to assign callout numbers for illustrations? Does the viewer publish to multiple output formats? Does it publish at all? I am certain you have never seen a viewer that supports document authoring or page design using 3D.

Myth #3: Peyton Manning can't win big games
Ummm... anyone watch the AFC championship game yesterday...

Solution: 3D Publishing Software
In order to qualify as 3D Publishing software an application should reuse 3D models to create graphics, or animations or documents for public or internal distribution. 3D Publishing software does not create models and does much more than simply view the 3D model.

Overall, 3D Publishing supports import of existing 3D (in various formats), manipulation of the 3D and meta-data to easily create things like exploded views, bill-of-materials, illustrations, etc. The end result of using 3D Publishing software is a deliverable in a format that is easily shared. The more publishable formats the better... interactive, web, printed, animated, etc.

And maybe the most important aspect is that 3D Publishing software is designed to be used by people comfortable with programs like Microsoft Office. Including 3D in a document should be easy and natural and the best 3D Publishing software provides complete page design tools with integrated 3D support (only QuadriSpace products accomplish this!).

So what can you do with 3D publishing that you can't do with other software?

Layout and create multiple page documents
Publish graphics, animations and documents from a single source
Directly include meta-data from the 3D CAD file in a document or table
Reuse 3D directly without the overhead of "3D creation" tools
Update entire documents as your 3D design changes
Publish to print, web, Flash, movies, 3D PDF, Exe's, CDs, etc

Read this post in Italian.

Introduction

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Roberts) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 16:37:00 +0000

Hi, my name is Brian Roberts. I am one of the founders of QuadriSpace, a leader in 3D publishing software. I will be one of the contributors to this blog.

"The 3D Pub" is coming online in order to share ideas and offer opinions about leveraging 3D models for non-engineering uses. Specifically, this blog will focus on using 3D models (that already exist) to create graphics, animations and complete documents.

You might ask, "Aren't there enough 3D CAD blogs out there?"... Well sure there are, but these blogs tend to focus on engineering problems, design issues, what version of SolidWorks is best, why they dislike Autodesk this week, and so on. This is all useful information if you are trying to design a product, choose a CAD system, or learn how to use 3D CAD... but what happens after design? The questions you are sure to ask include...

How do I get my products assembled?
How do we put together our documentation?
How can we improve customer support?
How can our customers better identify and order spare parts?
How do we present prototypes of our products for market validation?

These questions are not answered by a typical 3D CAD blog (nor are they solved using 3D CAD software). This is where 3D Publishing takes over and where "The 3D Pub" discussions start.

For 3D Publishing, the fundamental question is: Are we doing everything we can to leverage our existing 3D to meet our business goals? When we ask this question, the answer for most companies is "not even close but we'd like to get there" or "I didn't know there were ways to use 3D after design". As you might assume, many haven't even considered how the reuse of 3D can impact the bottom-line. Have you? It's more dramatic than you might think, so I hope you will continue to check back and join me in the coming months as we discuss customer uses, product tips, industry solutions and more on the "The 3D Pub"!